Apple Arugula Salad With Maple Pecans — Fresh, Bright & Perfectly Balanced

🎉 Introduction

This Apple Arugula Salad With Maple Pecans is crisp, refreshing, and full of vibrant fall flavor. Peppery arugula pairs beautifully with thinly sliced apples, sweet figs, creamy goat cheese, and warm maple-caramelized pecans. The homemade maple balsamic dressing ties everything together with brightness, sweetness, and depth.

This salad works wonderfully as a holiday side, a beautiful dinner party starter, or a nourishing everyday lunch. Every bite has contrast: crunchy, creamy, sweet, tangy, and fresh. It’s simple, elegant, and incredibly delicious.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Small skillet
• Medium mixing bowl
• Small bowl & whisk for dressing
• Serving platter

🛒 Ingredients

Salad

• 5 oz arugula
• 3 apples, very thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Pink Lady recommended)
• ½ cup dried figs, sliced
• ¼ cup red onion, very thinly sliced
• ½ cup goat cheese crumbles

Maple Pecans

• 1 cup pecan halves
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 pinch sea salt

Maple Balsamic Dressing

• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ⅔ tablespoon maple syrup (about 2 teaspoons)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Make the Maple Pecans

• Place pecans in a skillet over medium heat.
• Toast for 2–3 minutes, stirring often.
• Drizzle in maple syrup and a pinch of sea salt.
• Cook 1 additional minute, coating pecans fully.
• Spread on parchment to cool (they will harden slightly).

Step 2: Prepare the Dressing

• In a small bowl, whisk together:
  • balsamic vinegar
  • Dijon mustard
  • lemon juice
  • maple syrup
  • minced garlic
  • pepper and sea salt
• Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking until smooth and emulsified.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

• In a bowl or on a platter, add:
  • arugula
  • apple slices
  • sliced figs
  • red onion
• Drizzle some dressing and gently toss.

Step 4: Top & Finish

• Add goat cheese crumbles and maple pecans on top.
• Lightly drizzle a bit more dressing before serving.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4
• Prep Time: 12 minutes
• Cook Time: 3–5 minutes
• Total Time: ~15 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Store salad undressed in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Store dressing separately in a sealed container for up to 1 week.
• Pecans can be stored at room temperature, covered, for 5 days.
• Do not heat — serve chilled or room temperature.

🥄 Variations

• Swap Goat Cheese:
  Use feta or shaved Parmesan.
• Add Protein:
  Grilled chicken, roasted turkey, or chickpeas work beautifully.
• More Sweetness:
  Add sliced pears or dried cranberries.
• More Crunch:
  Add pumpkin seeds or sliced almonds.
• Fall Spice Twist:
  Add a tiny pinch of cinnamon to the pecans.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use spring mix instead of arugula?
   Yes — any tender greens work.
2. Do I have to toast the pecans?
   Toasting enhances flavor — highly recommended.
3. Can I use fresh figs instead of dried?
   Yes — they are delicious when in season.
4. Can I make this salad ahead of time?
   Assemble without dressing and add it just before serving.
5. Which apples work best?
   Firm, sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, or Gala.
6. Can I use maple syrup only in the dressing?
   Yes — adjust sweetness to taste.
7. Can I omit the goat cheese?
   Yes — salad will still be fresh and flavorful.
8. Can I make the dressing creamier?
   Add 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt or mayo.
9. Can this be served as a full meal?
   Add protein to make it filling.
10. Is this salad gluten-free?
    Yes — naturally gluten-free.

🏁 Conclusion

This Apple Arugula Salad With Maple Pecans offers the perfect harmony of sweet, savory, creamy, and crisp textures. It’s fresh enough for everyday meals and special enough for celebrations. The homemade maple pecans and balsamic dressing elevate every bite into something truly memorable.

Beautiful. Balanced. Full of life and flavor.

Adam

Apple Arugula Salad With Maple Pecans — Fresh, Bright & Perfectly Balanced

This Apple Arugula Salad With Maple Pecans is crisp, refreshing, and full of vibrant fall flavor. Peppery arugula pairs beautifully with thinly sliced apples, sweet figs, creamy goat cheese, and warm maple-caramelized pecans. The homemade maple balsamic dressing ties everything together with brightness, sweetness, and depth. This salad works wonderfully as a holiday side, a beautiful dinner party starter, or a nourishing everyday lunch. Every bite has contrast: crunchy, creamy, sweet, tangy, and fresh. It’s simple, elegant, and incredibly delicious.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 12 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 17 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Salad

• 5 oz arugula
• 3 apples very thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Pink Lady recommended)
• ½ cup dried figs sliced
• ¼ cup red onion very thinly sliced
• ½ cup goat cheese crumbles

Maple Pecans

• 1 cup pecan halves
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 pinch sea salt

Maple Balsamic Dressing

• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ⅔ tablespoon maple syrup about 2 teaspoons
• 1 garlic clove minced
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Equipment

• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Small skillet
• Medium mixing bowl
• Small bowl & whisk for dressing
• Serving platter

Method

 

Step 1: Make the Maple Pecans

1. Place pecans in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Toast for 2–3 minutes, stirring often.
3. Drizzle in maple syrup and a pinch of sea salt.
4. Cook 1 additional minute, coating pecans fully.
5. Spread on parchment to cool (they will harden slightly).

Step 2: Prepare the Dressing

1. In a small bowl, whisk together:
2. balsamic vinegar
3. Dijon mustard
4. lemon juice
5. maple syrup
6. minced garlic
7. pepper and sea salt
8. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking until smooth and emulsified.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

1. In a bowl or on a platter, add:
2. arugula
3. apple slices
4. sliced figs
5. red onion
6. Drizzle some dressing and gently toss.

Step 4: Top & Finish

1. Add goat cheese crumbles and maple pecans on top.
2. Lightly drizzle a bit more dressing before serving.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Store salad undressed in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Store dressing separately in a sealed container for up to 1 week.

Pecans can be stored at room temperature, covered, for 5 days.

Do not heat — serve chilled or room temperature.

🥄 Variations

Swap Goat Cheese:
Use feta or shaved Parmesan.

Add Protein:
Grilled chicken, roasted turkey, or chickpeas work beautifully.

More Sweetness:
Add sliced pears or dried cranberries.

More Crunch:
Add pumpkin seeds or sliced almonds.

Fall Spice Twist:
Add a tiny pinch of cinnamon to the pecans.

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I use spring mix instead of arugula?
Yes — any tender greens work.

Do I have to toast the pecans?
Toasting enhances flavor — highly recommended.

Can I use fresh figs instead of dried?
Yes — they are delicious when in season.

Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Assemble without dressing and add it just before serving.

Which apples work best?
Firm, sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, or Gala.

Can I use maple syrup only in the dressing?
Yes — adjust sweetness to taste.

Can I omit the goat cheese?
Yes — salad will still be fresh and flavorful.

Can I make the dressing creamier?
Add 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt or mayo.

Can this be served as a full meal?
Add protein to make it filling.

Is this salad gluten-free?
Yes — naturally gluten-free.

🏁 Conclusion

This Apple Arugula Salad With Maple Pecans offers the perfect harmony of sweet, savory, creamy, and crisp textures. It’s fresh enough for everyday meals and special enough for celebrations. The homemade maple pecans and balsamic dressing elevate every bite into something truly memorable.

Beautiful. Balanced. Full of life and flavor.